«Breaking News» Marcus Rashford remains a work in progress...despite his goal against Spain

The ball was everything a striker could want. Hard, fast and into the area that leaves goalkeepers and defenders terrified about whether they should stick or twist.

Talk about a pick-me-up. Marcus Rashford might have reported for England duty last Monday feeling despondent, the effects of the first red card of his professional career still lingering, but here was an instant opportunity to banish the blues.

There had been some suggestion early in the week that Gareth Southgate would fill the void left by Raheem Sterling’s injury by putting Dele Alli in a more advanced role and perhaps using Fabian Delph alongside Jordan Henderson but, the closer it got to game day, the head coach knew what to do.

Marcus Rashford's (pictured) display against Spain showed he is still a work in progress

Rashford (left) celebrates with his team-mates after opening the scoring for England

The forward's goal was not enough though as the Three Lions went on to lose 2-1 to Spain

The only man he wanted alongside Harry Kane, the man whom he had described as the best No 9 in world football, was Rashford, not least because Sterling was replaced on three occasions by him at the World Cup.

So here was an opportunity to impress and, with a little helping hand from his club-mate Luke Shaw, he grabbed it in the 11th minute, gliding on to the left-back’s glorius cross to bundle a shot beyond Spain goalkeeper David De Gea. In truth, he really could not miss.

This was not as spectacular as his last England strike – that magnificent 25-yard drive that fizzed into the top corner of Costa Rica’s net at Elland Road – or as important as the other rocket he unleashed against Slovakia at Wembley 12 months ago but it was not to be turned down.

Rashford has found goals hard to come by at Old Trafford – there have only been four in all competitions since January 1 – so the chance to rebuild his confidence was something he was gladly going to accept.

Rashford faces a struggle to dislodge Romelu Lukaku at Manchester United this season

Up in the directors box, sandwiched between Sir Trevor Brooking and Aitor Karanka, the TV cameras cut to Jose Mourinho. The natural assumption was that they were looking for a reaction to Shaw’s superb piece of play but here was another United player with a point to prove.

It is clear to see that life at his boyhood club is not going to be easy for Rashford. He won’t dislodged Romelu Lukaku through the middle, while Mourinho also wants to accommodate Alexis Sanchez. Antony Martial’s presence continues to make things problematic.

For England, though, he has a platform on which he can potentially thrive. It is two years since Southgate first got the chance to work with him, when Rashford scored a hat-trick on his sole Under-21 appearance against Norway at Colchester.

Before that game, Southgate had watched Rashford run amok in training and gave his assistant Steve Holland a knowing look. Players with such prodigious ability don’t spend too long on the schooling grounds and Southgate knew Rashford was destined for the senior ranks.

The young attacker puts his head in his hands after spurning an opportunity against Spain

There have been highlights since that game – the memory of how he turned Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold inside out during a 2-1 win at Old Trafford in March is still fresh – but there have been enough moments to suggest his confidence is not all there.

You hoped after that opening goal, Rashford would sparkle and give England a statement making victory against exalted opponents. His performance, however, was a little like his team’s and he faded after that early promise.

Never more was that apparent than in the 83rd minute when he latched on to a pass from Kane, twisted inside Spain defender Nacho and found himself bearing down on goal. But rather than finishing with a flourish, his shot cannoned into De Gea. 

Like England, Rashford is a work in progress.

Linkhienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/09/marcus-rashford-remains-a-work-in-progress-despite-his-goal-against-spain/
Main photo article The ball was everything a striker could want. Hard, fast and into the area that leaves goalkeepers and defenders terrified about whether they should stick or twist.
Talk about a pick-me-up. Marcus Rashford might have reported for England duty last Monday feeling despondent, the effects of the ...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca





https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/09/08/21/4FE67EDD00000578-0-image-a-52_1536438260755.jpg